Prisoner Population Quadrupled in 12 Years

Minister of Justice stated the number of convicts and detainees in the prisons as of April 2, 2012. According to the stated figures, the number of convicts and detainees in prisons increased four times since 2000, the total population approximately tripled, so there are more than 7.000 "excess capacity" convicts and detainees. Zafer Kıraç from Non-governmental Organization Criminal Justice Administration  stated that the excess capacity was twice the stated figures by Ministry.

What's the reason of this increase?

There were 49.512 convicts and detainees at the prisons as of December 31, 2000. This number was 132.060 as of April 2, 2012.

There were 24.855 convicts and 24.657 detainees in 2000, however now there are 95.652 convicts and 36.408 detainees. Kıraç states the reason of this increase as follows:

"The arrests have increased in the recent 5 years and after the law amendment in 2005, convicts stay in the prison longer. Before, they were in prison for the 1/3 of their penalty period and after 2005 it became 2/3. So the population of the prisons increased."

There are 377 prisons in Turkey with a total capacity of 125.117; 22 of them are still under construction. However there are 132.060 convicts and detainees in the prisons which means there are 6.943 excess capacity convicts and detainees.

"Then how are the prison conditions of these excess 7.000 people?"

Ergin didn't answer this question.

Two prisoners share one bed

Ergin who was answering the parliamentary question of Republican People's Party (CHP) Malatya Parliamentarian Veli Ağbaba didn't talk about the prison conditions of those 7.000 prisoners.

Zafer Kıraç from Non-governmental Organization of Criminal Justice Administration stated that the excess capacity was around 30.000 however half of them were released by probation law and now there are over 15.000 excess capacity prisoners.

"Then how do they live in the prison?" we asked:

"In some prisons, the prisoners sleep with shift system or two prisoners share one bed. This is against human rights and this is also unfavorable in terms of both physical and mental health. The crowd in the prisons increases the hygiene problems, leading to psychological problems. The chance to benefit from the opportunities such as toilet, bathroom, and air conditioning decreases. The prisoners can benefit from the profession or hobby ateliers or sports areas only one a week due this crowd."

"In some prisons, these common areas are also changed into wards. All of these are against both human rights and international criteria."

Kıraç told that there should be alternative solutions like probation practices.

The number of guardians also doubled

The Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses also made a statement about the staff number in the prisons. According to his statement, the guardian numbers in the prisons doubled in the recent 12 years. There were 17.750 guardians in 2000; now there are 1087 contracted, 27.538 permanent, 28.625 guardians in the prisons. (AS)

Prisoner Population Quadrupled in 12 Years

Ayça Söylemez

What's the reason of this increase?

Two prisoners share one bed

The number of guardians also doubled